IN TRIBUTE
IN TRIBUTE Last month the industry was saddened by the loss of two people who have significantly impacted the market in different ways – SkinCeuticals’ founder Dr Sheldon Pinnell and the inspiration behind Revitalash®, Gayle Brinkenhoff. Here we pay tribute to them Loss of a legend As the founding father of SkinCeuticals, an internationally eminent scientist, dermatologist and educator and longtime Duke University professor, few people have had such a profound impact on topical skincare than Dr Sheldon Pinnell. Dr Pinnell passed away on July 4 after battling carcinoid cancer for almost 10 years. He was 76. As SkinCeuticals’ founding scientist, Dr Pinnell changed the face of topical anti-oxidants with his pivotal research. He was a pioneer in the discovery Dr Sheldon Pinnell and development of the role of topical anti-oxidants for the prevention of sun damage to skin and his Duke anti-oxidant patent has been a driving force at SkinCeuticals since the company’s inception. He also made many other milestone discoveries along the way. Dr. Pinnell’s skin science research garnered him 10 patents over the past three decades and he published more than 200 scientific articles about topical vitamin C, anti-oxidants, collagen synthesis, and photodamage in peer-reviewed dermatology journals. Pinnell received his undergraduate degree from Duke University and his medical degree from Yale University School of Medicine. In 1973 he returned to Duke to join the medical school faculty, where he remained for his entire academic career. From 1973-1980, he was named a prestigious Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator. He was the J. Lamar Callaway Professor of Dermatology and Chief of Dermatology at Duke from 1982 to 1997. A visionary leader, Pinnell developed and implemented strategic initiatives that facilitated the growth and prominence of Duke University’s Division of Dermatology and culminated in the establishment in 2009 of the nationally recognised Department of Dermatology. During his tenure, he trained more than 100 residents, 22 research fellows, and left a legacy of 22 dermatologists, including seven current department chairs, residency program directors and associate department and vice chairs. In 2013, Duke University Medical Center recognised Pinnell’s distinguished career with the establishment of the Sheldon R. Pinnell Center for Investigative Dermatology. This year, he also received honorary membership into the Society of Investigative Dermatology. He was also a founding scientist of Fibrogen, SkinCeuticals and the Skin Science Institute and served as SkinCeuticals’ chief medical advisor. Pinnell is survived by his wife, Dr Doren Madey Pinnell; three sons, Kevin, Alden, and Tyson; and five grandchildren. A small private family ceremony was held. A memorial service will be held in Duke Chapel in the Autumn to celebrate his life, in conjunction with the formal dedication of the Pinnell Center for Investigative Dermatology. 12 www.cosmeticnewsuk.com
A courageous fight Cosmetic News was incredibly saddened to hear the news from Flipside PR and SkinBrands that on Friday July 12, Gayle Brinkenhoff of Revitalash® had lost her long and courageous 25-year battle against metastatic breast cancer. It was her battle with this devastating disease that led her ophthalmologist husband, Dr Michael Brinkenhoff to create Revitalash® as a special gift for his wife who had lost her eyelashes during chemotherapy. The brand has since become a global phenomenon and Gayle was an integral part of the company’s success as well as a tireless supporter of cancer charities, to which the company donated thousands over the years from sales of its products. Tracey Beesley from SkinBrands, the UK distributor of Revitalash® said, “Gayle showed that it is possible to live a full, meaningful, passionate life, even in the face of a fatal diagnosis. Her courage, her empathy, her authenticity and her sense-of-humour will be painfully missed by all who knew and loved her.”
Cosmetic News editor Vicky Eldridge said, “Having interviewed Gayle, Michael and their daughter Dariel for Cosmetic News on a couple of occasions, I experienced first hand what a uniquely close, positive and inspirational family they were, so I was incredibly sad to hear that Gayle had passed away after such a long and courageous fight. She had an infectious enthusiasm and her selflessness in helping others while she herself was battling this disease is a testament to what an amazing person she was. My thoughts are with her family at this time.” We will be dedicating one of this year’s Aesthetic Awards to both Brinkenhoff and Pinnell to honor their contirbutions to the industry.
Dr Gayle Brinkenhoff and Michael Brinkenhoff